Manchester launches World Cup bid

Football legends Bryan Robson and Mike Summerbee have been encouraging people to sign up as supporters of Manchester’s bid to become a World Cup host city in 2018.

On the back of Manchester’s bid document landing at the FA, Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC joined forces with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Trafford Borough Council, Marketing Manchester, GMPTE and Manchester Airport to kick off the city’s bid.

The ambitious bid is unusual compared to most cities submissions because Manchester has two world class stadiums to attract qualifiers, play offs, quarter finals and the possibility of a semi-final on Manchester soil.

Garry Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City FC, said: “The city of Manchester has become synonymous with football in England and throughout the world and Manchester City FC is proud to support the city’s bid to become a host venue for the 2018 World Cup. Both the city and the club have a great deal of experience in hosting world class international sporting fixtures and football fans the world over could expect the very warmest of welcomes from the staff and fans of Manchester City.”

The launch was triggered by the bid document submission to the FA and prior to a Football Association delegation visit Manchester on the 23rd July to inspect facilities including the City of Manchester Stadium and Old Trafford. These would both be used as venues and potential fanzone sites, which along with the city’s world class accommodation offer would give the event a real festival flavour.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is a global and passionate football city with a successful record of hosting major sporting events.

“Manchester has a strong, low risk case and a very cost effective offer to support the World Cup – we already have great infrastructure, but public support is also key to demonstrate our fanatical football spirit.

“Not only will the World Cup boost the city’s economy it will also energise the city region. Manchester will be a beacon on the globe and once again prove it can not only deliver world class events but exceed all expectations.”

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting the city on a national and international stage, said: “Bringing an event of this magnitude to the city cannot be underestimated. Munich was one of the host cities in 2006 and it saw an economic benefit of almost £80 million. That’s an incredible amount of money, and when you couple it with the long-term benefits, like an increased profile on the world stage, it’s an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.”

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to support Manchester’s bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup. Manchester has the right infrastructure with which to deliver a successful tournament with world-class stadiums, a wealth of experience in hosting successful international sporting events and an international airport serving over 200 destinations.”

England is bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup and 15 cities, including Manchester, are vying for the prize of hosting games if the nation is successful. The FA will decide in December which cities will be named as hosts within its bid.